| Recent research which supports houseplants | | | | Rotate the plants every month. An easy way to |
| ability to clean the air better than some electronic | | | | increase light in a room is by placing a mirror |
| air purifiers has caused an increase in houseplant | | | | behind the plant. The mirror will reflect the light in |
| ownership. More and more people are discovering | | | | the room, giving the plant more essential light. |
| that house plants do more than beautify a room, | | | | Humidity and Houseplants |
| they actually bring about considerable health | | | | If you live in a dry climate it can be hard to keep |
| benefits. Houseplants, like any living thing, need | | | | plants which have humidity requirements. one way |
| special care in order to survive and thrive. Use | | | | to provide for them is to get a tray (like the |
| these tips for houseplants to make the most of | | | | ones that snap onto the bottom of window |
| your plant ownership. | | | | boxes) and place enough small pebbles to cover |
| Watering Tips for Houseplants | | | | the bottom. Add enough water to almost cover |
| Keeping plants watered while you're away can be | | | | the pebbles. Put the plant pots on top of the |
| a problem if there is no one around to water | | | | pebbles. As the water evaporates the plants will |
| them Here are some easy ways to keep your | | | | get the humidity they need. |
| houseplants from drying out while you're gone: | | | | Bugs on Plants |
| Tip #1 Soak some sphagnum moss with water | | | | Bugs needn't be a problem on your houseplants if |
| and place it on the soil of the pot right after | | | | you mist them with one of these surefire natural |
| watering. You can buy moss at plant stores, | | | | bug remedies: Spray the bugs with ice water |
| florist, and garden centers inside home | | | | mixed with skim milk or beer (1 quart cold water |
| improvement stores. | | | | to 2 T milk or beer). Often this simple remedy will |
| Tip #2 Water the plants well and place a large | | | | get rid of the bugs without the use of pesticides. |
| clear storage bag over each plant. Poke several | | | | Alternatively, crush a clove of garlic and put it in a |
| holes in the bag, and secure the bag to the pot | | | | half gallon of water, let sit for at least 2 hours, |
| using rubber bands. If necessary use a stick to | | | | then strain out the garlic. Pour the garlic "tea" into |
| prop up the bag so it doesn't touch the greenery. | | | | a spray bottle and mist the plants every few |
| This mini-greenhouse will trap moisture before it | | | | days. |
| evaporates into the air. | | | | Plant Food the Easy Way |
| Making Sure Houseplants Have Adequate Lightif | | | | Feeding house plants the nutrients they require is |
| you're wondering if there is enough light to | | | | super easy when you use plant spikes. Plant |
| support a plant ask yourself if there is enough | | | | spikes are special fertilizer sticks which are simply |
| light to read by. If there isn't enough light to read | | | | poked into the plant's soil once every few |
| a book then there isn't enough light for a plant to | | | | months. They deliver the exact amount of |
| survive. If the room in which you'd like to have a | | | | nutrients houseplants need without any measuring, |
| plant doesn't seem to have enough light to | | | | mixing, or timing the fertilizer application. |
| support a growing plant that doesn't mean it can't | | | | Houseplants can bring natural beauty, cleaner air, |
| stop by for a visit to enhance the room some of | | | | and a calming ambiance to any room. By using |
| the time. Put the desired plant in room and leave | | | | these simple tips, your houseplants will be around |
| it there until it starts to droop, then move to | | | | to bring you their benefits for years to come. |
| sunnier spot and let another plant take a turn. | | | | |